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“Counsel mothers to check female foeticide”

FOR A CAUSE: NCC cadets participating in the ‘Save the Girl Child Day’ campaign in Chennai on Thursday.

Staff Reporter

Students take part in ‘Save the Girl Child Day’ programme

CHENNAI: National Cadet Corps that believes in building character among the youth of the country observed Thursday as ‘Save the Girl Child Day’. At the event hosted by Women’s Christian College here, hundreds of students participated.

The event was the culmination of competitions that was held earlier. NCC students participated in a painting and oratorical contest and the best paintings that depicted the crime of female foeticide/infanticide were displayed. Students who were chosen for prizes also spoke on the topic.

The day’s events began with a campaign in front of the college with students carrying placards denouncing the practice of killing female foetus and girl babies at birth. Four girl cadets, two each from schools and colleges in the city, who won prizes in the oratorical competition, drove home the point by dwelling on the achievements of women leaders in various fields in India.

The cadets took an oath to carry forward the message that girl children should be given equal status. A presentation on the alarming fall in the sex ratio across the country was made. One of the messages was that fewer women as against men would mean more violence against women.

R.Jayanthi of Madras Andrology and Assisted Reproduction Centre, urged the cadets to counsel mothers. According to her, prevalence of foeticide/infanticide is higher in rural areas. To curb the practice it is important to inspect immunisation cards of the mothers, ensure regular follow up on pregnant women, demand authenticated medical reports and make a thorough inquiry into miscarriages and abortions. She said it was the responsibility of every individual to ensure that sex selective abortion was not undertaken.

The NCC developed character, leadership and participated in community development activities. One such effort is female infanticide/foeticide, said Commadore U.N. Chitnavis, NCC deputy director general for Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands Directorate. College Principal Redling Margaret Waller congratulated the cadets on their initiative to carry forward the message.